Dynamic Mowing Height Control for Grass-Clover Ratio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mower systems for managing grass-containing crops lack dynamic control over regrowth properties due to a single, fixed mowing height, leading to undesirable regrowth or insufficient growth of desired crops, particularly in mixed grass-legume fields where optimal ratios are crucial for nutritional value and subsequent crop yields.
Innovation Solution
A mower system equipped with a sensor device to sense species composition parameters, generating data that is used by a control device to adjust the mowing height dynamically and position-dependently, allowing for optimal control of regrowth ratios between grass and forage legumes like clover, using cameras and image processing for crop recognition and additional sensors for volume determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single fixed mowing height is used for the entire field, then the device complexity is reduced and operation is simplified, but the ability to control regrowth properties and species composition deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static, fixed mowing height to a dynamic, adjustable mowing height system. The control device enables real-time modification of mowing height based on sensor data about species composition, allowing the system to adapt to varying field conditions and optimize regrowth properties across different zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by enabling different mowing heights for different locations within the field. Based on sensor-detected species composition variations, the control device adjusts mowing height locally to favor regrowth of specific species (grass or legumes) in specific zones, rather than applying a uniform height across the entire field.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mowing height is adjusted dynamically based on species composition, then regrowth control and crop management are optimized, but device complexity and measurement requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using sensor devices to detect species composition parameters in real-time and feeding this information back to the control device. The control device then adjusts mowing height based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop system that continuously optimizes crop composition control based on actual field conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment of mowing height with an automated control system that uses sensor data and algorithms to determine optimal heights. This substitution of mechanical/manual operations with automated sensing and control reduces operational complexity while enhancing adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If a single mowing height is applied uniformly, then operation is simplified, but the nutritional value and yield optimization of mixed grass-legume crops deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts mowing height based on real-time detection of species composition, enabling precise control over the grass-to-legume ratio in the mown material. This dynamic adjustment maintains ease of operation through automation while achieving precise species ratio control that uniform mowing cannot provide.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mowing height parameter dynamically based on detected species composition. By modifying this key parameter in response to real-time conditions, the system optimizes the nutritional value and yield of mixed crops while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control.
Data Source
AI summary
A mower system for mowing a field with a grass containing crop comprises a frame, a mowing device that is connected to the frame and has an adjustable mowing height, a sensor device arranged to sense a species composition related parameter, such as a ration grass-to-clover, of a part of the field, and to generate data based on the sensed parameter, and a control device that is operatively connected to the sensor device to receive the generated data, and is operatively connected to the mowing device and arranged to adjust the mowing height on the basis of the received data. This enables to adjust the mowing height dynamically, i.e. position dependently, based on the detected parameter. The mowing height influences the regrowth of e.g. grass and clover differently, so that the ratio can be influenced locally.